Antigua vs St Lucia: Where Should you Go on Vacation?

Antigua and St Lucia have become quite the popular villa rental destination within the Carribean. These strikingly beautiful coastlines offer some of the most lavish powdery beaches, fresh culinary delights, and unparalleled cultural experiences.

Why St Lucia Should Be Your Next Vacation Destination

St Lucia’s striking south-west corner is arguably one of the most photographed coastlines in the world, harking back to classic Bond films. The two jagged volcanic peaks, known as The Pistons, are immediately recognizable and will welcome you to the island while landing at the airport. The pair of mountains is hikeable and can be toured by helicopter, for a more intimate, up-close view.

Though the island has volcanic origins, the beaches in St Lucia are golden. Anse Piton is one of the most renowned beaches in all of the Carribean, though the seashore has imported all of its gorgeous white sand from Guyana. Other notable beaches within the area are Anse Chastanet and Anse Cochon, located along the west coast and Marigot Bay, a spot that attracts yachters hopping from island to island. Reduit Beach, situated beside the tourist town of Rodney Bay, spans an entire mile and is the largest and most popular on the whole island.

Are you looking for a unique day tour? Hire a car and head to Sulfer Springs, the wold’s only drive-in volcano. Here you can soak in a mud bath, bathe in the warm springs and take in the unique landscape adorned with hues of greens, yellows, pinks, and whites.

While the French influence is evident, most chefs cook with a creole flair, utilizing only the freshest ingredients the island has to offer such as bananas, mangoes, passion fruit, plantains, breadfruit, okra, avocados, limes, pumpkins, cucumbers, papaya, and yams to name a few.

Chocolate lovers will love the dishes at Boucan, a restaurant situated on the Rabot Estate. This working cocoa plantation infuses the menu with its freshly harvested produce in a myriad of exclusive cacao cuisines.

Why Antigua Blows Vacationers Away

Enclosed by stunning coral reefs, Antigua is most known for its 365 beaches, one for every day of the year. It’s easy to see why this island is a favored spot for jet setters! Its little sister island Barbuda is so charming that many celebrities have homes situated on the isle.

Like St Lucia, Antigua also has an epic, awe-inspiring natural gem. Through thousands of years of large waves, the Devil’s Bridge, a natural occurring overpass, has been carved into the limestone. Surrounding the arch of Devil’s Bridge, blowholes have also formed, spraying warm, salty water from the Atlantic Ocean into the sky.

The abundance of Carribean cooking in and around the island has marked Antigua as a popular stop for culinary vacations. Vacationers can indulge in fresh organic vegetables, meats, fish, homemade bread, and sweets throughout the island.

The rich tapestry Caribbean history, traditions, and colorful culture add to the beauty of the area. Petroglyphs drawn centuries ago by Arawak Indians can be seen within the depths of the Barbuda Caves. The coasts of Antigua are perfect for yacht cruising and racing, with steady trade-winds, and many inlets to stop off.

Whether you’ve decided on visiting Antigua or St Lucia, your vacation will be perfect when you book a luxury villa in St Lucia, or Antigua with Rental Escapes today!